Optical Engineer IV TS/SCI

Jet Propulsion Laboratory; United States; On-site; USD 186,000 - 227,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Vision benefits

Retirement plans

Paid time off

Learning opportunities

Flexible schedule

Rideshare

Job summary

Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California seeks an Optical Engineer IV with TS/SCI clearance for the Optical Systems Engineering Group. You will design, analyze, and test advanced optical instruments for space missions, focusing on ground and space-based systems.

The role requires expertise in optical engineering, wavefront error budgets, and solid coding in MATLAB/Python/C++. You will collaborate across disciplines and contribute to mission success within a dynamic environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Physics/Astronomy or related engineering with substantial experience in optical systems.
• Master’s degree in similar disciplines with several years of related work.
• PhD in similar disciplines with relevant experience.
• Familiarity with optical properties of telescopes, spectrometers, and imaging cameras.

Responsibilities

• Develop and validate optical systems for space-based platforms.
• Lead design, analysis, and testing of optical instruments and components.
• Collaborate with cross-disciplinary teams to meet mission requirements.

Skills

MATLAB

Python

C/C++

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Physics/Astronomy/Engineering

Master's degree in similar disciplines

PhD in similar disciplines

Tools

Code V

Zemax

Jama/Cameo/DOORS

Opto-mechanical CAD software

Job description

New ideas are all around us, but only a few will change the world. That’s our focus at JPL. We ask the biggest questions, then search the universe for answers—literally. We build upon ideas that have guided generations, then share our discoveries to inspire generations to come. Your mission—your opportunity is to seek out the answers that bring us one step closer. If you’re driven to discover, create, and inspire something that lasts a lifetime and beyond, you’re ready for JPL.

Located in Pasadena, California, JPL has a campus-like environment situated on 177 acres in the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains and offers a work environment unlike any other: we inspire passion, foster innovation, build collaboration, and reward excellence.

Responsibilities

JPL is a center of research, innovation and technology, and if you aspire to be on the leading edge, there is no better place. A truly unique organization, JPL is a pioneer of space exploration technology and science, attracting and cultivating the best and brightest creative and technical minds. JPL values creative thought, technical excellence and teamwork, infused with the highest level of integrity. The Instruments and Communications Division is known for the development and infusion of technologies that enable advanced flight sensors, instruments, and deep space communications. Our expertise spans the entire electromagnetic spectrum — from Radio Frequency (RF) through ultraviolet (UV). Our product line ranges from quantum technology and flight systems, imaging spectrometers, microwave radiometers, scientific radars, mass spectrometers and other in situ instruments, ground and space-based RF and optical systems, and innovative sensors. We create novel material systems and fabrication techniques that unlock new concepts and mission architecture. We pioneer deep space communication theory, implement advanced communication systems, and develop navigational tracking to understand where we are and how to ensure robust engineering and science data return. The Optics & Spectroscopy Section provides world-leading capability and expertise in a wide range of technologies that are critical to the development of optical instruments. Section leadership and expertise are specifically applied to the development of advanced ground and space-based optical systems in the following areas: research and development of optics-related technologies; system architecture and concept definition; detailed optical system design, opto-mechanical design, analysis and implementation; and alignment, test and calibration of optical instruments and systems. The Optical Systems Engineering Group works on optical instrumentation ranging from optical telescopes such as NEOS and HWO to instruments behind those telescopes including spectrometers, imagers and coronagraphs. We carry out analyses to ensure that the systems are meeting specifications and to help guide the requirements of the system. As systems move through the development process, we help ensure that system is developed to meet higher level requirements and that the subcomponents will achieve their required performance. The Optical Engineer IV TS/SCI will be a member of the Optical Systems Engineering Group and report to the Group Supervisor.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Physics/Astronomy, Aerospace Engineering, Optical Engineering, Electrical Engineering or related technical discipline with a minimum of 9 years of related experience
• a Master’s degree in similar disciplines with a minimum of 7 years of related work experience
• or a PhD in similar disciplines with a minimum of 5 years of related work experience.
• Familiarity and knowledge of the optical properties of systems such as telescopes, spectrometers, coronagraphs and imaging cameras.
• Experience developing optical systems with an emphasis on space-based systems
• Experience working with Optical Performance Error Budgets (e.g. wavefront error, radiometry, spectroscopy etc.)
• Proficiency in scientific computing languages such as MATLAB, Python, C/C++
• Strong writing, writing, verbal and presentation skills
• The ability to work well in a team with a diverse set of skills and backgrounds.

Preferred Skills

• Experience with Optical Subsystem Requirements generation
• Experience with Verification & Validation of Requirements
• Experience working with requirements management tools such as Jama, Cameo or DOORS
• Experience with the calibration of optical instrumentation
• Experience with optical ray tracing software such as Code V or Zemax
• Experience with opto-mechanical CAD software
• Experience with image chain analysis
• Leading small technical teams in the development of optical instrumentation & systems

Note: Must have an active Top Secret (TS) clearance based upon Single Scope Background Investigation (SSBI) within a 5-year scope and must be approved for Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) accesses.

Benefits & Perks

JPL has a catalog of benefits and perks that span from the traditional to the unique.

• health
• dental
• vision
• wellbeing
• retirement plans
• paid time off
• learning
• rideshare
• childcare
• flexible schedule
• parental leave

For further benefits information

Hiring Range

The typical full time equivalent annual hiring range for this job in Pasadena, California. $185,952 - $226,720

JPL is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, race, color, religion, national origin, citizenship, ancestry, age, marital status, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, pregnancy or perceived pregnancy, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, protected military or veteran status or any other characteristic or condition protected by Federal, state or local law. In addition, JPL is a VEVRAA Federal Contractor. EEO is the Law. EEO is the Law Supplement Pay Transparency Nondiscrimination Provision

Due to rules imposed by NASA, JPL will not accept applications from citizens of designated countries or those born in a designated country unless they are U.S. Citizens, Legal Permanent Residents of the U.S or have other protected status under 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3). The Designated Countries List is available here.

Formed in 1936, the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory is a federally funded research and development center managed for NASA by the California Institute of Technology (Caltech.) JPL joined NASA as an FFRDC when the agency was founded in 1958. JPL helped open the Space Age by developing America’s first Earth-orbiting science satellite, creating the first successful interplanetary spacecraft, and sending robotic missions to the solar system. Today JPL continues its world-leading innovation, implementing programs in planetary exploration, Earth science, space-based astronomy and technology development while applying its capabilities to technical and scientific problems of national significance. Above all, we are explorers. At JPL we promote collaboration, innovation, integrity, and excellence in distinct academic areas. We turn ideas for science investigation into the reality of groundbreaking space missions, partnering with our strategic business teams to guide JPL into the future.